The Mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.

“No one is ever wrong who desires to do that which is not required of them to do — and that which is of a noble purpose. The purpose of Crazy Horse is noble.”

Korczak Ziolkowski / Sculptor

“My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes also.”

Chief Henry Standing Bear

“When the legends die, the dreams end. When the dreams end, there is no more greatness.”

Korczak Ziolkowski / Sculptor

“The Important thing is that we never stop. That’s the main thing. And if you looked at it as strictly a view of being finished, you could get awfully distracted waiting for that day to come. This way, you’re pleased with every little step of progress that you make.”

Ruth Ziolkowski / Sculptor's Wife

“One does not sell the earth upon which the people walk.”

Crazy Horse

“By carving Crazy Horse, if I can give back to the Indian some of his pride and create a means to keep alive his culture and heritage, my life will have been worthwile.”

Korczak Ziolkowski / Sculptor

“He left everything so we can carry on his work, and that’s just what we’re going to do. We’re dedicated to that. His whole life would be wasted if the mountain carving and the humanitarian goals are not completed.”

Ruth Ziolkowski / Sculptor's Wife

“My lands are where my dead lie buried.”

Crazy Horse

“If it weren’t for each and every one you, whether your gift was small or large monetarily, whether it was friendship and encouragement, without you we wouldn’t be here…”

Ruth Ziolkowski / Sculptor's Wife

“Standing Bear explained that the Indian has a concept of honoring their great heroes that’s totally different from the white man’s. It was difficult for me to understand at first…The Indian uses the direct approach. He says: that man was my ancestor, and he was a great man, so we should honor him-I would not lie or cheat because I am his blood”